Taipei Twin Towers to be 'city within city'

By Adam Tyrsett Kuo--He Yue-ru (何岳儒), representative of the multinational consortium that recently won the right to develop the C1/D1 Joint Development Buildings near Taipei Railway Station, yesterday spoke to government officials during a briefing held at Taipei City Hall.

According to local reports, the consortium is made up of Malaysian, Japanese and Taiwanese firms, and is headed by He.

He said that his consortium plans to construct a “city within a city,” and that the buildings may be completed before 2018.

The consortium also plans to build an underground plaza for commuters, He said, adding that the C1/D1 Joint Development Buildings — also referred to as “Taipei Twin Towers” by local media — will be connected by skyways, He explained.

The twin towers are expected to become a major landmark in the nation's capital after Taipei 101, and may become sites for future New Year's Eve firework displays.

According to development plans, the structures will stand 76 and 56 stories high. The lower, middle and upper sections of the towers will house retail stores, offices and hotel rooms, respectively.

Once completed, the towers will also act as a hub for the planned airport express to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, further providing an extensive link between the capital's railway, metro systems and bus terminals through its underground sections. Travelers will be able to use check-in desks at the planned express station below the towers, and take trains directly to the airport.

A vast expanse of greenery will also be developed around the buildings for pedestrians, developers said, adding that Japan's Shinagawa Central Garden may be used as inspiration.

Given the gloomy global economic outlook, it is exciting to see that firms are willing to invest between NT$70 billion and NT$80 billion in our city, said Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌).

Due to the construction of the towers, Hau added, Taipei is expecting to see an annual rise of NT$1.1 billion in city revenue.

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), center, poses for a photograph with investor He Yue-ru (何岳儒), third right, after a briefing on the C1/D1 Joint Development Buildings — aka “Taipei Twin Towers” — construction plan, at Taipei City Hall, yesterday. The consortium headed by He recently won the rights to build the towers near Taiwan Railway Station. (CNA)